<p>From Cornell's site: "In all other programs, interviews are neither required nor offered. Campus visits are always encouraged, and most students who apply for freshman admission will be contacted by a member of a local Cornell alumni committee in the fall or winter. These informal conversations with alumni are not required and are meant only to allow an additional opportunity for the student to learn more about Cornell---and for Cornell to learn more about the student."</p>
<p>Was anyone actually contacted by an alumni? How was the interview? What was asked? Etc. Thanks</p>
<p>The "CAAAN" interviews are very laid back... its really a chance for you to get one more piece of paper into your admissions file that says what you're passionate about and why you like Cornell. It's important that you send the Common App part of your application ASAP, becuase that is what triggers the alumni / CAAAN contact. This is particularly true if you are applying ED. If you wait right up until the deadline, you might miss out on the CAAAN Contact opportunity.</p>
<p>Here's some more info about CAAAN (Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network)</p>
<p>CAAAN ppl contacted me after I was accepted ED for an interview. The point is that it's really informational. Only AAP and Hotel have evaluative ones. What wharf says about the "one more piece of paper..." is true, but it's not a piece of paper that is going to carry much weight. If they can't decide if you'll attend or not, it could turn the tables, but it won't make up for crappy SAT scores.</p>
<p>PS: Alumni-plaural, male/neutral; "Cornell alumni"
Alumnae-plaural, female; "alumnae of Balch Hall" (women only dorm)
Alumnus-singular, male/neutral "If each alumnus contributes 1 cent..."
Alumna-singular female "as an alumna of the womens' chior..."</p>
<p>my point is that it's primarily informative. if you're RD it'll be before they review your app. Mine wasn't an interview i got a call from a CAAN representative on the phone to answer questions. But that's what your interview is supposed to be like. Wharf knows the details, but your interview is NOT IMPORTANT. It could get you points in the "i am interested" catagory but not so much in the "I am qualified catagory"</p>
<p>My interviewer didn't ask questions. I was expected to ask him all the questions, since it is mainly just to get information, as sparticus said. I suggest you arrive with some questions in mind so the interview isn't totally awkward, but it really doesn't count for much.</p>
<p>What Spanks and Sparty say is true. It is meant to be an "information exchange". Its not important in the sense that it cannot hurt your chances for admission if you don't have one or if you are having a bad day when you do have one. There is no way to have a "bad interview". Having said that, it can help. The Ad Com does read the read the report that the CAAAN volunteer sends in. In a highly competetive pool, it could add some extra flavor to make you stand out in a sea of similarly qualified kids.</p>